OVERVIEW
Chancroid is a Sexually Transmitted Disease caused by the bacteria Hemophilus ducreyi.
It is also known as soft chancre or ulcus molle and its major symptom
is the appearance of painful sores or ulcers on the genitals of both men
and women. These sores appear at the point where the bacteria entered
the genital. In men, the locations of the sores may include: the shaft,
foreskin, head, opening of the penis, the groove behind the penis or the
scrotum. In women, the locations of the sores may include: the labia
minora, labia majora, the perineal area, clitoris or the vestibule.
Other symptoms of chancroid include: dysuria, dyspareunia, enlargement
of the lymph nodes etc. Treatment and prevention of chancroid include:
use of antibiotics such as azithromycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and
erythromycin; Strict use of contraceptives before sex
![]() |
Chancroid sores/ulcers on the vagina |
CAUSES
Most times, these ulcers are mistaken to be hard chancre (the typical sore of primary syphilis) instead of the soft chancre of chancroid.
This
disease is very common in developing and third world countries. It is
also found in developed countries, but among people who has recently
returned from chancroid endemic areas
During sex between infected and un-infected persons, Haemophilus ducreyi enters
into the skin through breakages in the mucosal lining of the genitals.
Within 2weeks after this invasion (entrance of the bacteria), the
previously un-infected person (now infected) will get a small bump on
the genitals. Within a day or two after its appearance, this bump then
develops into an ulcer.
![]() |
Hemophilus ducreyi: the bacteria that causes Chancroid |
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Most infected men have only a single ulcer, while infected women often have four or more ulcers. The characteristics of the ulcers are:- Its size ranges from 1/8inches to 2inches in diameter
- It is soft and painful
- It has well-defined borders
- Its base is covered with a gray or yellowish-gray material and bleeds easily if it is scraped
The location(s) on the genital where the ulcer occurs is usually the place where the bacteria entered into the genitals.
Common locations in men are:
- Shaft of the penis
- Foreskin of the penis
- Head of the penis
- Opening of the penis
- Groove behind the penis
- Scrotum
![]() |
Chancroid sores/ulcers on the penis |
Common locations in women are:
- Labia majora (the outer lips of the vagina)
- Labia minora (the inner lips of the vagina)
- The perineal area (the area between the vagina and the anus)
- Clitoris
- The vestibule (the hollow entrance of the vagina)
- Inner thighs
Other signs and symptoms of chancroid (though not experienced by every patient) are:
- Painful lymphadenopathy
- Painful urination (Dysuria) and painful intercourse (Dyspareunia) can also be experienced by females. This is due to the presence of the ulcer in the vestibule
- Enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes, the nodes located in the fold between the leg and the lower abdomen, just beside the genitals
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
Treatment and prevention options for chancroid are:- Administration of antibiotics such as azithromycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and erythromycin
- Drainage of the abscess
- Avoidance of sex or strict use of condom
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